The Irish standard., 1887-02-26
ROBERT EMMETT.

youngest martyr-Robert Emmett, and
it might not be uninteresting at the
present time to glance briefly over the
career Of this youthful patriot. In
"Ireland's Struggles for Liberty" a
work to which we are indebted for many
Of the facts contained in this sketch,
we find that Dr. Robert Emmett Nas a
physician Of more than ordinary repute,
and after his marriage with Miss
Temple, descendant Of the celebrated
writer and statesman, Sir William
Temple, he settled in Dublin, where he
was state physician. He was an ex-
treme liberal in his political opinions.
lie had three sons: Temple, the eldest,
who distinguished himself i'll the Uni
versity and at the Bar; Thomas Adds
also became barrister; he got III
vo]ved in the revolt OF 170o. but was al
lowed to expatriate himself, and arrived
in New York in 1904 ) and Robert, the
subject Of this sketch. 1t will be Oh
served that Dir. Emmet's sons inherited
the liberal political views of their
father. While yet boy Robert Emmett
gave abundant promise Of the fame he
afterwards acquired as scholar and an
orator. He evinced a passionate fond
ness for mathematical and scientific
study, demanding closeness Of reason
ing and an application OF mental pow
ers rarely exhibited in the wears of boy
hood. At school he bore away from his
emulous fellow-students many a gal
lantlywon prize. In The year 1898 En-
met entered Trinity College, being
then a handsome Young lad, full. Of pa
triotic spirit, for the first music that re-
galed his infant years was the martiaS
music Of the Volunteers, and the first
words OF political import with which he
( had btcome familiar were those in
which the aspirations Of q people de
termined to be free were so Oft and elo~
qlentIy translated. He had heard and
Lad read of English oppression, and the
generous teachings of q devoted
mother and Of q broad minded, tolerant
preceptor had inspired him with ha-
tired Of his country'; oppressors, and an
earnest sympathy with G!,e unfortunate
victims Of their iniquities.
Robert Emmet was q prominent tig-
ure in the debates Of the members of
the Historlcal Society, which was es.
tablished by the students of the college
for the cultivation of eloqnence and Of
the arts which are connected with it.
Although it derived it's appeliation
from the study of history, to which it
was nominally dedicated, the political
situation Of the country speedily di-
rected it's pursuits to the acquisition Of
the faculty of public speech; through
which every man OF talent expected to
rise into eminence, at q period when
oratory was the great staple commodity
| in the intellectual market. It was in
connection with the debates Of this So
cjetY that a field was opened UP for the
display Of Ennet's remarkable powers
| as All orator and scholar.
The young patriot was among those
who listened to Grattan's last impas-
stoned words in defense of his conntry's
rights, and he registered an unspoksn
vow within his heart to strike by force
from Ireland's limbs the disgracefuE
chains imposed On her by the Act of
Union--he would henceforth devote all
his energies to restore an ancient peo~
pie to their legitimate place among the
nations OF the earth. Aftera visit to
his brother, Thomas Adds, who was
then in confinement Emnet directed
his steps to the continent, in the year
1900. III Paris 1T that tjne there were
great number Of irish refugees. who
had participated in 'sthe rising" OF '9S,
and lEmmet lost no time in interview
ing the most prominent of them. AT
these interviews, of course, the subject
always discussed was the position Of
ireland and the prospects of her shak-
ing the heavy yoke OF foreign domina~
ton. While in Paris Emmett learned
that there was o great probability OF
war being declared between France
and England, and that the invasion Of
the latter country would take place
some time during the month Of Au-
gust, 1903. He returned to Ireland in
November, 1902, and he found con-
spiracy in active existence in Dublin
fer the overthrow of British power.
He threw himself body and soul into
the conspiracy, believing that, in view
of the expected invasion by France, he
would be able to strike fatal blow at
English power in Ireland. Aware of
the Importance Of securing possession
OF the capital and the seat Of govern
ment in the commencement Of the
struggle for liberty, Emmett determined
to possess himself of the castle, and to
seize the lord-lieutenant and all the
members Of the Privy Council. His
scheme for this purpose was we'll di-
gested and would have succeed to a GER
tainty had not a circumstance totally
beyond his control, and which no fore